Friday Memes and Terry Pratchett's 'The Colour of Magic'

Alison Can Read Feature & FollowThis week has been fun. I did some work, the sun shine every now and then and I read some really interesting short stories, only shame I didn't do quite as much university work as I should have. As a consequence I am currently frantically trying write a formative essay, so bear with me if I don't hop around as much today!

Follow Friday is hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee and this week's question was suggested by Take Me Away:

Have you come up with any special memes or features on your blog that you'd like people to visit more?

I did, for a short while, run my own meme called Lyrical Tuesday where I would pick a song and choose two lines that I absolutely loved and explained why. Now it mainly serves as an example of some of my less wise song choices but I did really enjoy doing it! The main reason I stopped was because no one else really joined in and I found a couple of other Tuesday memes I really wanted to join in and I didn't want to clutter my blog with meme posts. I'm such a traitor to my own cause! Now the main thing I do that is "special" or "different" from usual is an analysis post here and there, so analyzing a poem or looking at a certain literary device or trope.

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Billy over at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer and this week's question was suggested by Elizabeth over at Silver's Reviews:

What is more important to you when you are deciding to read a book?

The main thing that matters to me is the blurb. Does it sound like something I want to read or not? Does the blurb make me want to open the book and start reading right now? If the answer is yes I will most likely get it, unless lack of funds stop me. The cover does also play a role because I like looking at pretty things, who doesn't. I do prefer "arty" covers rather than models etc. but I can get on board with both if the novel sounds really good.

The Colour of Magic (Discworld, #1)Now on a slightly sadder note. For two of today's memes I am using the first Discworld-book by Sir Terry Pratchett, The Colour of Magic, in remembrance of his passing away. He was one of a kind and his writing brought happiness to an innumerable amount of people. Book Beginnings and Friday 56 are hosted by Gilion at Rose City Reader and Freda at Freda's Voice.
On a world supported on the back of a giant turtle (sex unknown), a gleeful, explosive, wickedly eccentric expedition sets out. There's an avaricious buy inept wizard, a naïve tourist whose luggage moves on hundreds of dear little legs, dragons who only exist if you believe in them, and of course THE EDGE of the planet...
His departure is a true loss.


BB:
'In a distant and second-hand set of dimensions, in an astral plane that was never meant to fly, the curling star-mists waver and part... 
See... Great A'Tuin the turtle comes, swimming slowly through the interstellar gulf, hydrogen frost on his ponderous limbs, his huge and ancient shell pocked with meteor craters. Through sea-sized eyes that are crusted with rheum and asteroid dust He stares fixedly at the Destination.' p.1

His Discworld always fascinated me, as did the characters he peopled it with. His descriptions were both hilarious and strangely insightful at the same time. This opening is a perfect example of that.

F56:
'Sometimes a pulsing golden glow would race up the translucent walls until it was lost in the haze overhead. Some power in the air made it vibrate.
"Now incompetent wizard," said Druellae, "see some magic. Not your weasel-faced tame magic, but root-and-branch magic, the old magic. Wild magic. Watch."' p.56
I always loved the agency and vivaciousness of Pratchett's female characters. They were never less than their male counterparts and they were actual characters, with flaws and bad habits and incredible strength.

So, that's it for me from today! Have you started any new memes recently? And what's most important in choosing a book?

Comments

  1. I have always meant to read something by Terry Pratchett but have never gotten around to it. Your two teasers really intrigued me so will make sure it is sooner rather than later.

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    1. I only ever read one of his books and then meant to really get into the rest and it never happened :( Glad you liked the teasers and thanks for commenting!

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  2. What a great tribute. I love the book by Pratchett. He will be missed.

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    1. He most certainly will be! Thanks for commenting :)

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  3. I am super sad today, too. Just makes me want to cry. Pratchett was a genius. My Friday Posts

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    1. He really was. At least we still have his books! Thanks for commenting :)

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  4. Hearing about Terry Pratchett really saddened me, though I have never read any of his books. I have been meaning to for more years than I can count.

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    1. He was just the kind of author everyone knew, somehow! I hope you get to enjoy one of his books soon! Thanks for commenting :)

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  5. Well that's still fun! My own post is kind of a lazy idea! Random Thursday is when I literally post something random! Lately I've been posting Disney facts that I have uncovered from my surfing the web!

    Here's my Follow Friday

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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    1. I have seen your Random Thursday posts, I really like them! Especially the Disney trivia, cause I'm all about that trivia! Thanks for commenting :)

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  6. I haven't read this book but it sounds interesting. I probably need to read more Pratchett anyway.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Amanda

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    1. Pratchett is always a good author to pick up, he's so much fun and yet deep at the same time! Thanks for commenting :)

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  7. I haven't read anything by Terry Pratchett, although he is on my list to read some day. I like his writing style based on the snippets you've shared.

    My Friday post: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2015/03/friday-focus-friday-56-book-beginnings_13.html

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    1. Definitely keep him on the list and I'm glad you enjoyed the teasers! Thanks for commenting :)

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  8. The blurb is the deciding factor to me as well. A favorite author or a strong recommendation may make me overlook one that doesn't grab me but that's fairly unusual. Even though I haven't read any of his books (yet) I was very sad to hear of Terry Pratchetts' passing. His books have been on my TBR for awhile and I do like the sound of the excerpts. Good luck with your essay!

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  9. I was sorry to hear of Terry Pratchett's passing. I have not read any of his books, but I am sure he will be missed.
    sherry @ fundinmentalFriday Memes

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  10. I have yet to read Terry Pratchett, but these excerpts are great! Thanks for sharing...and here's mine: “WHERE THEY FOUND HER”

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  11. Love the description of the turtle. So imaginative! I have not read Terry Pratchetts' books, but I'm intrigued by this one.
    My Friday post features WHAT WE KEEP.

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  12. Good point about the blurb! I forgot to include that in my answer.
    I do a Wednesday feature called WWW Wednesday where participants talk about what they're reading. It used to be hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading, but when she dropped it I picked it up.
    It's very sad to hear about Mr. Pratchett passing. I've only read his book 'Good Omens' which he wrote with Neil Gaiman. It was a funny read.
    Here are my Friday Book Memes. Happy reading!

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  13. Good answer.

    The genre then the blurb are my order of importance.

    ENJOY your weekend.

    Happy Hopping!!

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My Blog Hop Answer

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  14. I have read one of Terry Prachett's books. I think this is the one.

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  15. Fantastic tribute to a fantastic author!
    Happy weekend!

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  16. The blurb is important to me too. It has to grab my attention without revealing too much of the storyline. Nice answer for this week!

    Kathy @ My Nook, Books & More
    My Blog Hop Answer

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